The Usage of Killer Robots in Warfare

10213 심재현

What is your opinion on killer robots that could potentially be used in warfare in the future? We decided to take into consideration on various kinds of machines: robots that can think by itself by artificial intelligence, robots that can be controlled by human soldiers, human-like robots that can walk, and nano-technology robots that can fly, walk, dig, or swim inside the range of “killer robots”. In a New York Times article by Tim Weiner, “The Robot Soldiers Are Coming”, he depicts the development of robots as the biggest military strategy in American history, and predicts the implications of the proliferation of this revolutionary method.

In the discussion, the members of Logic De Cliché were quite evenly matched in terms of advocating and opposing this idea. Members who supported the usage of killer robots during warfare claimed that the reduction of human casualties in war is beneficial to humans. They asserted that robots, without the flaws of the human race such as fear and physical limitations, would be able to fight in combat, in replacement of human soldiers. Also, technological breakthroughs such as the usage of killer robots can help maintain worldwide peace, regarding the tension among the societies as the prime factor. For example, since the atomic bomb, which used to be one of the major technological breakthroughs a century ago, still threatens the human race, it indirectly initiates frictions among all the countries around the world since the nuclear bombs is capable of wiping out the entire face of the Earth. These factors contribute to the belief that killer robots possess the potential possibility to prevent casualties during warfare, thus being beneficial to the society.

Members on the opposite side, on the other hand, raised concerns about the usage of robots during warfare. Potential risks were hijacking of robots, financial difficulties, and moral quandary. Since the killer robots are controlled by humans, there always lies hidden risk of hijacking of the lethal weapons. Once in the wrong hands, they could bring about tremendous impairments to the society as a whole. Also, the military will lack funds due to the costs in the production of killer robots. Plus, the production, as a consequence, leads to an increase in taxes. Furthermore, moral, ethical problems coexist with robots. Is it moral for robots to kill humans? Is the person controlling the robots innocent because the killer robots committed the actual crime? Who should get the blame when they malfunction? These are some of the many questions to consider when deciding upon the usage of killer robots.

The world is currently paying close attention to the advantages and disadvantages of this urgent matter that are intertwined together. The United States has officially declared that they are increasing their military budget and preparing to endorse this strategy. Though seeming far-fetched, it is actually a much closer matter than you may think. Thus it is time for us to judge the weight of the ups and downs of killer robots. After all, you may be the one to watch the killer robots in combat during your lifetime.